The new stadium design and budget were completed prior to conversations with the Audubon Society. The design was also completed prior to changes in state guidelines related to bird-safe glass.

"One of the design goals was to create a building that was more connected and integrated with the community than the Metrodome had been," said Michele Kelm-Helgen. "The ability to see in and out of the stadium was what led us to the design that included the ETFE roof and operable doors on the downtown facing wall."

We have met several times with the Audubon Society and worked with Mortenson and HKS to look at all options for design and operational solutions to minimize bird collisions.

We have agreed to the Audubon Society's operational approaches, including the "Lights Out" guidelines.

We have also taken into consideration the lighting design for the stadium, and where we are able, we will follow the Audubon's suggestions.

We were able to adopt operational guidelines used by other downtown office and residential buildings, we were unable to change the design and do not have the budget to include the $1.1 million needed for bird safe glass.

We will continue to work with the Audubon Society on operational enhancements that will help make the facility bird friendly.

If you are hearing impaired, deaf or deaf/blind and would like assistance from the MSFA, please dial 7-1-1 and tell the Communications Assistant which type of relay call you wish to make. Please have the Communications Assistant dial 612-335-3316 for assistance from MSFA.